10
Feb
2004
• The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional a state law that has taxed racetracks at a higher rate than riverboat casinos. The action is the final step in a judicial battle that began more than a year ago and reached all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In June 2002, the Iowa Supreme Court first ruled in a 4-3 decision against the state and decreed that Iowa's gaming tax unfairly punishes racetrack casinos. The state appealed its case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled 9-0 in favor of the state, agreeing with the Iowa minority opinion. It said the Iowa legislature has plausible policy reasons for setting different tax rates for riverboats and racetracks under the U.S. Constitution. But in spite of the unanimous decision by the nation's highest court, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled recently that the legislature must tax riverboats and racetracks at the same rate. At stake is $112 million in back taxes and interest the state would have to pay to the racetracks, plus nearly $140 million in lost revenue between fiscal years 2002 and 2005. Much of this funding is used for environmental programs and infrastructure projects.
• Iowa Senator Kenneth Veenstra (R-Orange City) has introduced a bill (Senate File 2050) that proposes doubling the beer excise tax to $11.78 per barrel. You can express your opinion on this bill to Senator Joe Seng (D-Davenport) by calling (515)281-3371 or e-mailing him at (joe.seng@legis.state.ia.us). Those more conspiracy-minded worry that such bills could be a back door to prohibition. You can read about it at (http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa501.pdf).
• The Quad Cities Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has announced its 2004 grant recipients for projects supporting breast-cancer education, screening, and treatment for the medically underserved. Nearly $290,000 was awarded through the yearly grant process to community groups and agencies in a seven-county service area. The dollars granted were raised at the 14th annual Susan G. Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure held in Moline last June. The 2004 race is scheduled for Saturday, June 12. Since its inception in 1990, the Quad Cities race has raised more than $2.9 million and is now providing more than 1,500 mammogram vouchers yearly to medically underserved and underinsured women in the service area. Individuals or organizations interested in applying for future grants may contact Becky Signer, grants chairperson of the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate, at (309)765-1903 or (SignerRebeccaR@JohnDeere.com).
• Deere Community Credit Union has announced its 2004 Scholarship Program. The credit union has two scholarships available, one awarding $1,500 and one awarding $750. Both scholarships are open to any Deere Community Credit Union member who will be attending an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or vocational program. Applicants are required to submit an entry form and a 500-word essay from the prompt: "Explain the importance of a good financial-credit history and how the credit union can help someone establish and maintain good credit." Entry forms are available at (http://www.deerecommunitycu.com). Entries must be submitted by March 1.
• River Action is continuing the Retain the Rain program - an initiative to conserve water and lower flood levels in local rivers and streams - by making rain barrels for Quad Cities citizens and businesses available at a reduced price of only $55. This barrel retails for $125. You can purchase a barrel by sending a check for $55 for each barrel (limit two per household) to River Action; 822 East River Drive; Davenport IA 52801. The barrels will be available for pickup during March. By allowing gutters to empty into these barrels, rainwater can be captured and stored for use in irrigating lawns and gardens, washing vehicles, or watering indoor plants. If you have questions, call Brian Fellows at (563)322-2969.
• Wireless access to the Internet is now available at the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center. People who own a laptop or PDA with wireless capability may now use the device to connect in Dewey's, the library café, in meeting rooms, and throughout the library proper. The library's wireless access is open to all visitors. However, the library staff does not assist patrons with the configuration of their computers. For help, the library offers a tip sheet called "Wireless Internet Access" that is available in the café and at the Reception and Information desks. All users of the library's wireless service must abide by the library's computer and electronic-access policy. For more information, stop by the Bettendorf Public Library at 2950 Learning Campus Drive or call (543)344-4175.
• If you are at all interested in conservation, be sure to look at the National Arbor Day Foundation Web site at (http://www.arborday.org). There's tons of information on trees, how to grow them, and conservation of forests, as well as merchandise, and they'll even sell you trees. You can also find offers for low-cost trees if you join the organization.
• Iowa Senator Kenneth Veenstra (R-Orange City) has introduced a bill (Senate File 2050) that proposes doubling the beer excise tax to $11.78 per barrel. You can express your opinion on this bill to Senator Joe Seng (D-Davenport) by calling (515)281-3371 or e-mailing him at (joe.seng@legis.state.ia.us). Those more conspiracy-minded worry that such bills could be a back door to prohibition. You can read about it at (http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa501.pdf).
• The Quad Cities Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has announced its 2004 grant recipients for projects supporting breast-cancer education, screening, and treatment for the medically underserved. Nearly $290,000 was awarded through the yearly grant process to community groups and agencies in a seven-county service area. The dollars granted were raised at the 14th annual Susan G. Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure held in Moline last June. The 2004 race is scheduled for Saturday, June 12. Since its inception in 1990, the Quad Cities race has raised more than $2.9 million and is now providing more than 1,500 mammogram vouchers yearly to medically underserved and underinsured women in the service area. Individuals or organizations interested in applying for future grants may contact Becky Signer, grants chairperson of the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate, at (309)765-1903 or (SignerRebeccaR@JohnDeere.com).
• Deere Community Credit Union has announced its 2004 Scholarship Program. The credit union has two scholarships available, one awarding $1,500 and one awarding $750. Both scholarships are open to any Deere Community Credit Union member who will be attending an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or vocational program. Applicants are required to submit an entry form and a 500-word essay from the prompt: "Explain the importance of a good financial-credit history and how the credit union can help someone establish and maintain good credit." Entry forms are available at (http://www.deerecommunitycu.com). Entries must be submitted by March 1.
• River Action is continuing the Retain the Rain program - an initiative to conserve water and lower flood levels in local rivers and streams - by making rain barrels for Quad Cities citizens and businesses available at a reduced price of only $55. This barrel retails for $125. You can purchase a barrel by sending a check for $55 for each barrel (limit two per household) to River Action; 822 East River Drive; Davenport IA 52801. The barrels will be available for pickup during March. By allowing gutters to empty into these barrels, rainwater can be captured and stored for use in irrigating lawns and gardens, washing vehicles, or watering indoor plants. If you have questions, call Brian Fellows at (563)322-2969.
• Wireless access to the Internet is now available at the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center. People who own a laptop or PDA with wireless capability may now use the device to connect in Dewey's, the library café, in meeting rooms, and throughout the library proper. The library's wireless access is open to all visitors. However, the library staff does not assist patrons with the configuration of their computers. For help, the library offers a tip sheet called "Wireless Internet Access" that is available in the café and at the Reception and Information desks. All users of the library's wireless service must abide by the library's computer and electronic-access policy. For more information, stop by the Bettendorf Public Library at 2950 Learning Campus Drive or call (543)344-4175.
• If you are at all interested in conservation, be sure to look at the National Arbor Day Foundation Web site at (http://www.arborday.org). There's tons of information on trees, how to grow them, and conservation of forests, as well as merchandise, and they'll even sell you trees. You can also find offers for low-cost trees if you join the organization.
